The area that would become the West End originally consisted simply of a trading post, established by John Neely Bryan. In July 1872, the Houston & Texas Central Railroad arrived in downtown, attracting manufacturing companies whose warehouses would come to define the architecture of the West End.

The district reached nationwide prominence in the 1960s, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in a Presidential motorcade traveling through Dealey Plaza. While the assassination brought the attention to the West End, the district's economy still struggled, with many businesses leaving the city center for suburban locations.

As development changed downtown Dallas and older buildings were demolished, local developer Preston Carter Jr. began the revitalization of the West End in June 1976 in an effort to preserve its history.[2] Old warehouses and other brick buildings were converted to restaurants and shops. In November 1978, the West End Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]

Today, over seven million people visit the West End annually, making it one of the city's leading tourist attractions.[when?] In recent years the area has suffered a decline.[when?] The West End Marketplace, a massive mall/entertainment complex, closed its doors on June 30, 2006. However the development in Victory Park to the north may spur a rebirth.[neutrality is disputed]